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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Cat Chat :: Jessica Diaz - Boston Barre

I don’t know about you, but longer days
combined with a balmy Boston breeze have always motivated me to slim down and shape
up into a beach-worthy sculpture. But before summer, there’s spring and as we
segue into a new season today, I’m delighted to feature a fabulous woman who’s devoted to fitness and thrives on the successes that have flourished from her personal fortitude.

“Engage your core.
Pull your belly into your spine,” touts barre instructor Jessica Diaz during
any given BarSculpt session. Diaz, who splits her time between Charlestown Yoga and Sports Club/LA in Boston,
just marked her one year anniversary teaching others how to trim, tighten and transform their torso. And with leading 6
to 8 classes per week plus teaching private sessions, her physique is proof that
barre does a body good.

For the past decade, the long-haired brunette
and mother of two has been practicing the Lotte Berk Method. This fusion of
ballet, Pilates and sculpt has been around since the early 1970s, but has
gained momentum in recent years. During her tenure as a student, Diaz trained at the top studios in Boston and among the best names in the business.

Diaz felt compelled to begin teaching after the birth of her second child. Having experienced a less than
motivational moment in a class, she immediately knew she wanted to develop a
routine as challenging as the ones offered at the popular studios, but with a deeper
emphasis on individual fitness levels and goals. “I wanted to
take the best of what I learned and combine it with what worked best for me,” Diaz explained. “I also
wanted to promote an environment that made everyone feel comfortable.”

A variety of muscle
groups are worked to the core (literally) in a 60-minute session. It's challenging indeed, but truly rewarding as body parts you never even knew you had start begging for mercy. Newcomers are encouraged to focus on creating movement
from the part of the body being targeted. “You want to feel the
area [you're targeting] actually working,” Diaz described. “A second
important step is keeping your core engaged.”

Confessing she would have loved a career as a
DJ, this music enthusiast shares her love for melody by compiling a killer playlist for each
class. I’m convinced it’s the tunes that get many of us through
the trials and tribulations of toning our tush, tummy, triceps and other areas too. But this busy wife, mother, instructor and secret
record-spinner has yet another duty on her dossier, she’s a brand ambassador
for Splits59. The athletic apparel brand recently named her a “Firestarter” and in turn Diaz shares feedback on new
products and contributes to the company’s blog. “I'm always on the hunt for great workout clothes and Splits59 is a favorite,” she said. “Tendu Grip Tights are perfect for barre work because they have grips on the bottom of the foot.”A typical day for Diaz starts with coffee at 5:45
a.m. About an hour later, it’s time to move those muscles at her first BarSculpt class of the day. After her morning session, she sends her kids off to school
and then it’s time for a personal workout, meetings, appointments and
whatever else is vying for her attention that day. “It’s busy, but I love it,” she said. “I have an extremely supportive husband who’s always my partner is juggling
our busy life.”Diaz admits attempting to find balance on a daily
basis is nearly impossible for her. As an alternative, she opts to structure
her laundry list into whole weeks which offers her more control and flexibility. And when it comes to seeking inspiration and motivation, this go-getter who's always eager to add more to her plate draws energy
from those around her. “I'm amazed by the funny and smart women I know and the positive influence they have on me.”

Accomplished women like Diaz who absolutely love their work, welcome new opportunities and are able to harmonize all that’s important in life always inspire me to continue
in my personal quest for success and happiness. I’m honored to know her and she’s
certainly one to watch.Jessica Diaz can be reached via Facebook.